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  1. Negotiations

Asia & Pacific

Bilateral deal-making involving governments of Asia and the Pacific region.

Nepal: Experts look askance at TIFA draft
29-Mar-2010 Himalayan Times
Experts today suggested some changes in the draft of the Nepal-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA). “The TIFA draft has not mentioned a word about preferential market access or reducing tariff, each of which is a key to the Nepali export sector,” they said.
Free trade high on APEC agenda
22-Feb-2010 Japan Times
Senior officials from Pacific Rim economies will agree on the need for a free-trade zone in the region when they meet in Hiroshima on Monday and Tuesday, according to a draft of the agenda.
US less enthusiastic for TIFA negotiations
18-Feb-2010 República
At a time when Nepali delegation is making last-hour preparations for the negotiations with US government for proposed Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), it has been learnt that Washington is not enthusiastic in initiating the negotiations.
TIFA: Where is our homework?
15-Feb-2010 República
The media is abuzz with reports that Nepal is planning to sign a bilateral FTA (BFTA) with the US and to this end a high-level delegation from Nepal is leaving for the US in three weeks’ time to sign Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) – a precursor to the BFTA.
Expectations, Burma case derail FTA
28-Dec-2009 Business Mirror
Continuing political turmoil in the military-ruled Burma have caused major hurdles in the proposed free-trade deals being negotiated by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations with the European Union, Canada and the United States.
APEC free trade a key issue under Japan’s leadership
10-Dec-2009 Japan Times
The Japanese government said Wednesday it will accelerate efforts to get Pacific Rim economies to create a free-trade area during a series of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meetings next year
US, Turkey launch new trade, investment forum
8-Dec-2009 Reuters
The United States and NATO ally Turkey launched an initiative Monday aimed at boosting trade and investment ties, but said there were no plans for the two countries to negotiate a free trade agreement.
Regional integration is a pipe dream
17-Nov-2009
Those who favour a big push for regional integration in Asia now have their day in the sun. They say that the global economic crisis has accelerated the decline of America and the rise of China, India and other emerging powers. Power is shifting inexorably from the West to Asia.
APEC to assign Japan to develop proposals for Asia Pacific FTA
5-Nov-2009 Kyodo
Leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum will set Japan, the next APEC chair, the task of identifying ways for the 21-member grouping to create a free trade bloc in the future, according to a draft statement they are expected to issue at their Nov. 14 to 15 summit in Singapore.
Nepal: US floats TIFA for zero-duty facility
3-Nov-2009 Republica
The US Trade Representative has floated an option of Washington and Kathmandu signing a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and it has forwarded a text of the TIFA to the Commerce Ministry for necessary study for further negotiations.

    Links

  • ABAC
    APEC Business Advisory Council is pushing for an FTA among APEC members
  • ASEAN Briefing
    ASEAN Briefing is a platform dedicated to the various and increasing number of trade treaties and agreements throughout the ASEAN region, produced by tax and legal professionals Dezan Shira & Associates.
  • Asia Regional Integration Center
    Database of bilateral and plurilateral FTAs with at least one of Asian Development Bank’s 48 regional members as signatory.
  • Australia-ASEAN-New Zealand FTA
    An Australian government webpage on the Australia-ASEAN-New Zealand FTA negotiations, agreed to end 2004 and begun early 2005.
  • Macau-China FTA
    Official website on the Macau-China Closer Economic Partnership Agreement
  • PANG
    The Pacific Network on Globalisation (PANG) plays the role of the Pacific regional “peoples’ watchdog on trade issues”.